Delaware Hunting Regulations

Delaware has solid deer hunting opportunities along with chances for waterfowl, upland birds and small game. Having private land access is helpful here but there are public land opportunities, especially for archery/crossbow seasons. You can hunt small areas of public, including state parks and some local parks during archery. Firearms deer hunters are more limited as they can’t shoot in small parks. Hunting vertically from a treestand during archery opens up the game to everyone.

Delaware Hunting License Fees

Resident:

Hunting – $39.50

Guide – $159.50

Wildlife Area Deer Stand/Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit – $20

Junior Hunting – $5

Quality Buck tag combo – $20

Additional antlerless tag – $20

Migratory waterfowl stamp – $50

Annual conservation access pass – $32.50

3-day conservation access pass – $10

Non-resident:

Hunting – $199.50

3-day hunting – $75

Guide – $475

Junior Hunting – $50

Quality buck – $50

Antlered deer – $50

Additional antlerless – $20

Migratory waterfowl stamp – $15

Annual conservation access pass – $65

3-day conservation access pass – $20

Delaware Hunting Seasons

Deer:

Archery – Sept 1 – Jan 31

Crossbow – Sept 1 – Jan 31

Muzzleloader – Oct 6-14, Jan 22-27

Shotgun – Nov 10-19, Jan 13-20

Special Antlerless – Oct 16, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 30, Dec 9-16

Handgun – Jan 6-13

Small Game:

Gray Squirrel – Sept 15 – Feb 3, Limit 6

Cottontail Rabbit – Nov 20 – Feb 28, Limit 4

Groundhogs – July 1 – June 30, No limit

Pheasant (roosters only) – Nov 20 – Feb 3, Limit 2

Bobwhite quail – Nov 20 – Jan 6, Limit 6

Turkey:

The turkey season runs from April 14 – May 12. Seasons differ based on the public land permits you draw. You must apply by January 5 in the 2018 season for the lottery drawing. You can only hunt on the public property that you draw. You must also report to a check station if you take a bird. Only one bird annually per hunter if you draw the tag.

Waterfowl:

Delaware and Maryland have a reciprocal policy for snow geese. You need the state and federal waterfowl stamps but the general license works in both states (snow geese only).

Hunting seasons are also available for coot, mourning dove, woodcock, common snipe, crows. Waterfowl hunters have long seasons and some liberal bag limits here. The Delaware hunting regulations are updated each year and dates/bag limits are subject to change. Deer numbers are healthy and trophy potential is good throughout the state.